Best Defense
Thomas E. Ricks' daily take on national security.

Army recruiters: Don’t call us…

My Scranton paper didn’t arrive today, so while reading the Wilkes-Barre (Pa.) Citizens’ Voice, I noticed that Army National Guard recruiters reportedly have been given a monthly quota of zero, which means they basically aren’t signing up anyone. Zip zero nada no one. Cody Kopcha, a 22-year-old nursing student at a local community college, was ...

By
585663_090520_ricks2.jpg
585663_090520_ricks2.jpg

My Scranton paper didn’t arrive today, so while reading the Wilkes-Barre (Pa.) Citizens’ Voice, I noticed that Army National Guard recruiters reportedly have been given a monthly quota of zero, which means they basically aren’t signing up anyone. Zip zero nada no one.

Cody Kopcha, a 22-year-old nursing student at a local community college, was surprised to be told there is no room at the NG. “I expected the military to take just about anyone. I was surprised they raised the standards and are only taking the best right now,” he told the newspaper. “The recruiter said he’s not sure when he’s going to be able to get us in.” Personally, I don’t think people named Cody should be allowed to enlist-last time I looked, they were all in kindergarten.

Bonus points department: 20 points today to readers who knew without prompting that Wilkes and Barre were two leading anti-war members of Parliament during the American Revolution.

bobster855/flickr

Thomas E. Ricks covered the U.S. military from 1991 to 2008 for the Wall Street Journal and then the Washington Post. He can be reached at ricksblogcomment@gmail.com. Twitter: @tomricks1
Tags: Barack Obama, Military

latest

Zelensky Pleads With Washington for More War Aid

Meet Ukraine’s New Defense Boss

Can the U.S. and China Cooperate on Green Technology Again?

Can India and Pakistan’s Historic Water Pact Endure?

Congress Wants to Hold Sri Lanka’s Feet to the Fire on Human Rights
See All Stories

Editors’ Picks

  1. 1
    America Can’t Stop China’s Rise
  2. 2
    The Endless Frustration of Chinese Diplomacy
  3. 3
    BRICS Invitation Puts Argentina in a Tough Spot
  4. 4
    Why Everyone Is Courting Mauritania
  5. 5
    U.S. Sudan Sanctions Won’t Work Without the UAE’s Help

More from Foreign Policy

An illustration shows the Statue of Liberty holding a torch with other hands alongside hers as she lifts the flame, also resembling laurel, into place on the edge of the United Nations laurel logo.
An illustration shows the Statue of Liberty holding a torch with other hands alongside hers as she lifts the flame, also resembling laurel, into place on the edge of the United Nations laurel logo.

A New Multilateralism

How the United States can rejuvenate the global institutions it created.

A view from the cockpit shows backlit control panels and two pilots inside a KC-130J aerial refueler en route from Williamtown to Darwin as the sun sets on the horizon.
A view from the cockpit shows backlit control panels and two pilots inside a KC-130J aerial refueler en route from Williamtown to Darwin as the sun sets on the horizon.

America Prepares for a Pacific War With China It Doesn’t Want

Embedded with U.S. forces in the Pacific, I saw the dilemmas of deterrence firsthand.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, seen in a suit and tie and in profile, walks outside the venue at the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. Behind him is a sculptural tree in a larger planter that appears to be leaning away from him.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, seen in a suit and tie and in profile, walks outside the venue at the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. Behind him is a sculptural tree in a larger planter that appears to be leaning away from him.

The Endless Frustration of Chinese Diplomacy

Beijing’s representatives are always scared they could be the next to vanish.

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomes Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman during an official ceremony at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, on June 22, 2022.
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomes Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman during an official ceremony at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, on June 22, 2022.

The End of America’s Middle East

The region’s four major countries have all forfeited Washington’s trust.

Trending

  1. America Can’t Stop China’s Rise
    Essay
    Tony Chan, Ben Harburg, Kishore Mahbubani

  2. U.S. Sudan Sanctions Won’t Work Without the UAE’s Help
    Argument
    Yasir Zaidan

  3. BRICS Invitation Puts Argentina in a Tough Spot
    Analysis
    Oliver Stuenkel

  4. How China Uses Shipping for Surveillance and Control
    Argument
    Elaine Dezenski, David Rader

  5. The Endless Frustration of Chinese Diplomacy
    Argument
    Cindy Yu